Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
JACK TOWNLEY'S DEBTS.

JACK IOWNLE1'S DEDlo.
Mr.. Jack Townley was an average spec1-
men of well bred, well to do young Eng
liahman, gifted with neither vices nor
virtues of a character sufficiently obtru-
siv to distinguish him from hundreds,
or even thousands, of his fellows. He
was, that is to say, good fellow enough,
with a handsome face, agreeable man
ners, and a disposition which rendered
him just az prone to help friend out of
sc7ape OF take up the cudgels in defense
of lady's reputation as to bet, gamble,
and indulge in whatever amusements or
designations happened to be obtainable
without exertion. But Jack unfortunate
Iy differed from many of his companions
in that he was not his own master, but
was blessed or cursed with a somewhat
stern and Pharisaical father, who could
not be induced to look upon his various
peccadiiloes in so charitable and indul-
gent a manner as his son could have
wished. Debt was an abOmin alton to
the Townley pere, hOrse-racing he looked
upon as an invention of satan, and
gamblers he considered as pests of society
He allowed his son a fairly liberal income;
but he expected that Jack should keep
strictly within it's bounds, and the shifts
and devices to which that young gentle
man was reduced whenever run of bad
luck or an unforeseen call made the rails
ing of additional funds Indispensable
would fill volume. 1t is with the curious
result of one of the stratagems that the
present narrative deals.
Jack had had very bad seasons racing.
Ill luck at EPSON had been followed by
disaster at Ascot. Goodwood failed to
improve matters, and the autumn handi-
caps merely helped to increase his embar-
easements. OF course, therefore, he was
compelled to borrow money, and he did
so at the rates which are COMMONLY charg-
ed benevolent usurers to gentlenen IN his
unfortunate position, Chief among his
creditors was a certain Mr. Reugo. who,
however, differed from the ordinary
money-Iender in many very important
particulars. In tho first place, Mr.. Bengo,
if not precisely a gentleman, was at least
very good imitation Of one. Though
reasonably suspected of Jewish descent,
he was not member of the Hebrew com
munity, and neither his features, dress
nor manners obtrusively suggested an
eastern origin. He has been at Harrow
and at Cambridge, was blessed with an
abundance of this worlds goods, and had
contrived not merely TO get himself elect
ed to several good clubs, bat to obtain a
more or less sure footing in society.
Mr. Bengo, in fact, had the reputation of
being good-natured, Obliging individual
ever ready to help a friend out of a
pecuniary difficulty, and exceptionally
open handed in money matters. Some
how or another it came about that when
ever extravagant young wastrel disap-
AL &c
was pretty certain to be set down as a
heavy loser by his defalcations; but when
on the other hand, one of these young
gentlemen, owing to the opportune death
of his father, uncle, Or other relation,
came int a handsome fortune, it never
transpiGed that Mr.. Bengo had made a
very good thing out of him. Mr.. Bengo
was not so foolish as to do his business
directly, except in a very few instances.
His usual mode of operation was to re-
commend third party, an oblInglng
person, who, upon his introduction, would
lend almost any amount upon note of
hand. Hence it came to pass that when-
ever Jack Townley got into difficulties,
he applied to Mr.. Bengo for advice, and
that gentleman, who knew everybody
and every thing, invariably succeeded in
finding for him a way of getting out of
them. But Jacks credit was by no
means unlimited, and of late Mr.. Bengo,
after many protestations that such a
thing was not at all in his line, had con-
sentsd not only to advance money to his
friend, but to take up Jacks liabilities
TO numerous members of the money
lending fraternity to whom he was in
debted. And the result of all this was
that Jack owed Mr.. Bengo some $4,000
which he was wholly unable to pay.
The situation was distinctly unpleasant
Mr.. Bengo was not an importunate credi-
tor, but he had dropped some pretty
strong hints of late that he was short of
money, and wanted at least thousand or
SO on account.
"But can't pay, my good fellow" Jack
confessed.
''Why don't you apply to your father"
responded Mr.. Bengo.
Il daren't: he would cut me off. Why,
:fh knew I owed 50, 600 he would have a
fit"
Nonsense, man; fathers always talk
about cutting their sons off, bot they
never do it. It will nave to be done
soon, so you had better make your mind
up.n
II tell you what" said Jack, desperately
'hoy are So1nS TO snOCG the covers db
Iownley Court next week Come down
and see the old man for yourself; you
will understand then"
Delighted, I'm sure." replied Mr..
Bengo, with yelled exultion, for Townley
Court happened to be one of the houses
to which in spite of his intimacy with
Jack, he had never been invited. Sir
John Townley being very stiff and ex-
elusive individual, who was terribly par
ticular about the social status, manners
and reputation of his guests.
'All right" said Jack, looking rather
nervous: sTom Bilsom is coming next
Tuesday-you can run down together.
I've got to start tomorrow"
Mr.. Tom Bilsom was lively and popu-
lar young doctor. who had been more
than once indebted to Mr.. Bengo for as